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190 meters, new commanding height in Chengdu

2011-07-29 15:35

It can be said that you can tell a city's progress by how many skyscrapers there are in the sky. This is certainly true in Chengdu, where new buildings are not only appearing constantly, but are also becoming increasingly higher.

In the 1950s and 60s, the three-storey-high Chengdu Department Store was one of the the city's most prominent landmarks.

In 1991, the 118-meter-high Shudu Mansion was constructed, though now it ranks about the city's 50th tallest skyscrapers. The mansion was the highest in west China and, for a long time, was considered the landmark of Chengdu by local residents.

In 1994, Sichuan Bank of China Tower, located at Luomashi, overtook the mansion as the highest building standing at160 meters.

From 2010, Chengdu's skyscrapers kept getting taller and taller. That year, the city saw the completion of Yanlord Plaza, 180 meters high; Aerospace Science and Technology Building, 176 meters high; and Fraser Executive Apartment, 170 meters high. Towards the end of the year, the 49-storey Hailrun Plaza broke the record for Chengdu's highest building at 190 meters.

118 METERS HIGH, SHUDU MASION, A LANDMARK IN CHENGDU FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS.

For a long time, local residents thought of the Chengdu Department Store as the highest building in the city. Constructed in 1952, Chengdu Department Store, with only three storeys, was seen as a superstore. In the 1950s and 60s, the department store, boasting a superior location, was a landmark building in Chengdu. In 1986, it was renovated to five storeys, becoming a favorite shopping destination for local residents.

Since the 1990s, Chengdu has become enthusiastic about constructing high buildings. Many of the city's landmark buildings were built in those days. In 1991, Shudu Mansion became the city's first skyscraper, with 34 storeys and standing at 118 meters high. It remains a terrestrial reference to many local residents. In 1994, Sichuan Bank of China Tower overtook the mansion as the highest building at 160-meter high, and also became a landmark of the financial center at Luomashi. In 1998, Chuanxin Mansion was constructed to a record high of 138 meters on South Renmin Road, a new generation landmark office building of Chengdu. In the same year, First City Plaza was also constructed at Luomashi, one of the top-class office buildings in the city.

190 METERS HIGH, HAILRUN PLAZA: THE HIGHEST BUILDING

In 2000, Chengdu was uncertain whether to continue constructing tall buildings in high density. Its residential quarters were largely developed into multi-layers and low high-rise buildings. Only a few skyscrapers were constructed, largely as office buildings. In January 2006, Chengdu municipal government encouraged urban areas to construct 200 meters and 300 meters high buildings in high density.

To this end, 2006 was referred by many skyscraper fans as "the first year Chengdu had entered the era of skyscrapers."

Since then, constructing skyscrapers has become a trend in Chengdu, with higher buildings emerging year after year. In 2010, three skyscrapers were constructed; the 180-meter Yanlord Plaza, 176-meter Aerospace Science and Technology Building, and 170-meter Fraser Executive Apartment. Finally, the 190-meter Hailrun Plaza, totaling 49 storeys, became the highest skyscrpaer in the city.

Most recently, Hailrun Plaza has become the highest office building of Chengdu. It takes only 30 seconds to reach the top in an elevator. The building boasts panoramic views of the city, the Jinjiang River flows like white silk ribbon, and the undulating Longquan mountains are clearly visible in the far distance.

320 METERS HIGH, POLY INTERNATIONAL PLAZA: THE HIGHEST BUILDING OF CHENGDU IN PLANNING

Statistics show Chengdu has 11 skyscrapers higher than 150 meters. Most of them are office buildings, except for the 155-meter Shangri-la Hotel, the 170-meter Fraser Executive Apartment and 158-meter Hyatt Regency residential building, and Aerospace Science and Technology Building, partly a hotel. Chengdu is a 'tall' city, along with Chongqing, in Southwest China.

However, Chengdu is far from the being the 'tallest' city in China. The 190-meter Hailrun Plaza only ranks the 287th on the Chinese Skyscraper Billboard. According to China Skyscraper City Report of 2011, issued in June, Chengdu is the top 14th in China according to the total number of skyscrapers.

Regardless, Chengdu is widely deemed to have bright prospects in skyscraper construction. It sits at sixth on the list of potential skyscraper cities. Statistics show Chengdu has 12 skyscrapers under construction and 15 under plan. Chengdu is ranked sixth in the Skyscraper Potential City list, after Guangzhou and Tianjin, but ahead of Chongqing, Wuxi, Dalian and Wuhan.

The highest skyscraper under plan in Chengdu is the Poly International Plaza, expected to be 320 meters at Tianfu New Town. When completed, it will become the new landmark of the city. The Plaza will be used as an office building and hotel. Such a height will make the building the 20th highest out of China's existing skyscrapers. The city's other planned skyscrapers over 200 meters high include No. 1 building of Global Trade Plaza (280 meters), No.2 building of Global Trade Plaza (260 meters), main building of West China International Financial Center (260 meters), and Tower A of Financial Town (210 meters). The 211.85-meter China Resources Building has sealed the top in civil engineering construction. It will be completed next year to overtake other buildings as the highest in the city.

Top 10 skyscrapers of Chengdu NO.1, Hailrun Plaza, 190 meters

NO.2, Yanlord Plaza, 180 meters

NO.3, Aerospace Science and Technology Building, 176 meters

NO.4, Fraser Executive Apartment, 170.00 meters

NO.5, Huamin Empire Plaza, 163.00 meters

NO.6, Minxing Finance Mansion, 163.00 meters

NO.7, Sichuan Bank of China Tower, 160.00 meters

NO.8, Southwest China Petroleum Mansion, 160.00 meters

NO.9, Hyatt Regency, 158.00 meters

NO.10, Shangri-la Hotel, 155.00 meters

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